UNION members from across Dorset gathered to 'send an urgent message to the government' at the seafront in Weymouth.

The Trades Union Council (TUC) rally followed the proposed Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill from the Government. 

The bill is at the second reading stage in the House of Lords. 

If it were to be passed it would mean that minimum levels of service would be required in certain sectors during strikes. 

Unions and workers would have to comply with the minimum levels or they could face legal action. 

Dorset Echo: A TUC member speaks to the crowds at the clock tower in WeymouthA TUC member speaks to the crowds at the clock tower in Weymouth (Image: Tom Harris)

There were members from the National Education Union (NEU), Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) among the hundreds in attendance at the Jubilee Clock Tower in Weymouth on Wednesday, February 1. 

A spokesperson for the Trades Union Council (TUC) Dorset: "We're here today to bring together the strikes that are a TUC day of action. We are here to send a message to the government to pay up because we need more pay. 

"We need money for our public services. Our schools, our hospitals, our railways, our postal service, because otherwise, we know it will fall apart. 

"This is an urgent message to the government. The TUC has called the day of the action to tell the government 'hands off our right to strike'. 

"Instead of sitting down and talking to the unions about how to fund our services, instead, they threaten us. Today is also to send a message that they are not going to take away our rights like that or scare us."

Dorset Echo: A right to strike banner was held up throughout the rallyA right to strike banner was held up throughout the rally (Image: Tom Harris)

After hearing from speakers from a range of different public services plus music from the Red Choir and Billy Bragg, the group began marching toward the town centre. 

Chanting as they went, the group armed with flags, banners and plaques headed into the town centre to continue to raise awareness of their rally, which was supported by many drivers who honked their horns as they passed on the adjacent road. 

The rally coincided with teachers' strikes across the county which saw some schools close whilst some ran on limited attendance only.